Dynamic communication splitter

Abstract

Methods and systems for splitting an initiated signal are disclosed. An exemplary system may include a transmitter configured to selectively transmit an initiated signal, and a signal splitter in communication with the transmitter. The signal splitter may be configured to selectively split the initiated signal into a plurality of recipient signals for a plurality of recipient lines in communication with the transmitter. The signal splitter may be configured to selectively modify a number of recipient signals, e.g., by adjusting a spot size of the initiated signal on the signal splitter.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method, comprising:
 receiving an initiated signal having a beam width; 
 modifying a spot size of the initiated signal in advance of engaging a splitting array by changing the beam width of the initiated signal, thereby modifying a number of splitter elements engaged by the initiated signal; 
 splitting the initiated signal into a plurality of recipient signals, the plurality of recipient signals determined in part by the number of splitter elements engaged by the initiated signal; and 
 maintaining a total signal power of the plurality of recipient signals at a first substantially constant value while modifying the beam width of the initiated signal. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a signal power of the initiated signal remains at a second substantially constant value. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising modifying a signal power of the initiated signal. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein modifying a number of splitter elements engaged by the initiated signal includes magnifying the initiated signal to selectively increase and decrease the beam width of the initiated signal. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein modifying a number of splitter elements engaged by the initiated signal includes rotating the splitting array relative to an orientation of the initiated signal. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein splitting the initiated signal into a plurality of recipient signals includes engaging a plurality of mirrored surfaces with the initiated signal. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising associating each of the plurality of mirrored surfaces with a corresponding recipient line. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising reassociating at least one of the plurality of mirrored surfaces with a different recipient line. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising altering one of the recipient signals associated with one of the plurality of mirrored surfaces, thereby differentiating the one of the recipient signals from the remaining recipient signals. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising transmitting the plurality of recipient signals from the splitting array through a light-transmitting material, and establishing the light-transmitting material as a plurality of optical fibers. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising transmitting the recipient signals through free space along at least a portion of a path of at least one of the recipient signals. 
     
     
       12. A method, comprising:
 receiving an initiated signal having a beam width; 
 modifying a spot size of the initiated signal in advance of engaging a splitting array by changing the beam width of the initiated signal, thereby modifying a number of splitter elements engaged by the initiated signal; 
 maintaining a total signal power of the plurality of recipient signals at a first substantially constant value while modifying the beam width of the initiated signal, a signal power of the initiated signal remaining at a second substantially constant value; and 
 splitting the initiated signal into a plurality of recipient signals, the plurality of recipient signals determined in part by the number of splitter elements engaged by the initiated signal. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 engaging a plurality of mirrored surfaces with the initiated signal; 
 associating each of the plurality of mirrored surfaces with a corresponding recipient line; and 
 selectively associating the plurality of mirrored surfaces with a plurality of recipient lines in response to a demand from the recipient lines. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising transmitting the recipient signals through free space along at least a portion of a path of at least one of the recipient signals. 
     
     
       15. A method, comprising:
 receiving an initiated signal having a beam width; 
 modifying a spot size of the initiated signal in advance of engaging a splitting array by changing the beam width of the initiated signal, thereby modifying a number of splitter elements engaged by the initiated signal; and 
 maintaining a total signal power of the plurality of recipient signals at a first substantially constant value while modifying the beam width of the initiated signal, a signal power of the initiated signal remaining at a second substantially constant value. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 engaging a plurality of mirrored surfaces with the initiated signal; 
 associating each of the plurality of mirrored surfaces with a corresponding recipient line; and 
 selectively associating the plurality of mirrored surfaces with a plurality of recipient lines in response to a demand from the recipient lines. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 12 , wherein modifying a number of splitter elements engaged by the initiated signal includes magnifying the initiated signal to selectively increase and decrease the beam width of the initiated signal. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 15 , wherein modifying a number of splitter elements engaged by the initiated signal includes magnifying the initiated signal to selectively increase and decrease the beam width of the initiated signal. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 12 , wherein modifying a number of splitter elements engaged by the initiated signal includes rotating the splitting array relative to an orientation of the initiated signal. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 15 , wherein modifying a number of splitter elements engaged by the initiated signal includes rotating the splitting array relative to an orientation of the initiated signal.